Tag Archives: Ignatian Spiritual Excercises

What Was

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

After Mom passed, sadness drifted in and out of my days like a hum in the distance, clearer whenever I looked its way. It didn’t come from the one who had mothered my mother, nor the one who kept wishing for more. It came … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, four-leaf clover, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Mary, Mary Oliver, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Wild Geese | 2 Comments

Morning Light

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

The moment I discovered, with the clarity life brings, that my idea was a good idea, and I should’ve acted on it, a grey cluster of emotions emerged.I felt its weight in my chest. Why did I doubt myself? What do I do now? The … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Early Light, Early Morning LIght, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Song of Songs 6:10, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Tony Armstrong-Sly. | Leave a comment

Come In

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

It was comical, really.The day before my mother died,there was a clatter.Clear as a bell, my mom, who hadn’t eaten or spoken for days, called out,“Come in!”“I just dropped something on the floor, ” I said.“Come in!” she said againand went … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged ashley rose, Esther Hizsa, Heidi Frehner, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, John 14:3, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 3 Comments

Bringing My Mother to Jesus

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Always With Me, dying, Esther Hizsa, hospice, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Luke 5:17-17, Mark 2:1-12, Paul Zach, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 4 Comments

The Human Reason

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus[stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged David Surý, Esther Hizsa, Georg Pencz, He Comes, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jesus heals the leper, Jonathan Ogden, Living from the Heart, Man sleeping in the street, Mark 1:40-45, Molly Parden, Paul Zach, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, The Porter's Gate | Leave a comment

You Know Enough

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

We have known and believe the love that God has for us.–1 John 4:16a (NRSVUE) The word for this new year that came to you –of all the words, this one and of all people, you– what if it isn’t what you should be but … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged *BlueMoon, 1 John 4:16, ashley rose, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, stones, word for the year | Leave a comment

When Love Happens

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

To loveand be loved.We were made for this.Love created the earth, the stars, the seas.Everything and everyone was made of You,from Loveby Love,for Love. Love is the one thing needed,the command that keeps all others. To see what love does–there … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Best Friends, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jacqueline Bergen, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, SoulStream Community, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Take and Receive, Thomas Leuthard | Leave a comment

A Walk with Rod Part 2

Posted on November 8, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

Hey friends, Remember when I wrote about my mom loving me the way I wanted to be loved the day after I went for a walk with a friend and talked about accepting that she loves me the way she … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Childhood, compassion, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Let's Go for a Walk and Talk, Living from the Heart, Rod Janz, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | Leave a comment

Colloquy 2*

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

I awoke to find a blanket of yellow covering the lawn. Other fading leaves still clung to the tree. Eventually, they would tire, loosen their grip and be vulnerable to the next brisk breeze. Then, my dear tree will stand naked while rain pelts, winds push and pull and snow … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged colloquy, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Ignatius of Loyola, Joan O'Sullivan, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, willow, winter branches | Leave a comment

Our Stories

Posted on October 25, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The very thing I think I can’t tell you is what I need to. The very thing I fear will bring judgment and rejection, brings compassion and connection instead. Sharing our stories, being vulnerable, being needy, afraid, hurt and discombobulated and not having to hide it, not having … Continue reading →